ST. LOUIS – Maryville University women's bowling was ranked ninth in the Preseason National Tenpin Coaches Association Poll released on Monday. The Saints are coming off a 2022-23 campaign where they made their first NCAA Tournament appearance with a 99-46 overall head-to-head record.

The reigning NCAA Division II Coach of the Year Lauren Pate returns a NCAA Third Team All-American in Anna Maxwell, along with four three All-GLVC selections in Natalie Heltne, Laura Bartelt, and Brianna Schmidt. Katilyn Cavender also returns after an impressive first year at Maryville, while freshmen Morgan Brunner and Lauren Hunter will also look to make immediate contributions.

Maryville earned 1,269 total points in the poll, putting them behind Sam Houston State University and just before Louisiana Tech University. Vanderbilt University was selected first, earning 51 of the 56 available first-place votes.

The season begins for the Saints on Oct. 27., at the Ebonite Valpo Bowling Classic in Dyer, Ind.